Bears in Connecticut in May
Yes, May is one of the best months to see bears in Connecticut. It is the 2nd busiest month of the year, with 145 of the 996 sightings logged across the year (14.6%), based on verified iNaturalist records.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Peak month for bears in Connecticut
14.6%
of yearly sightings
145
records in May
#2
busiest month of 12
996
verified records a year
April 11.2%, May 14.6%, June 20.2%. Busiest month is June at 20.2%.
996 verified observations of bears in Connecticut, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When bears are recorded in Connecticut
Peak month
June
201 records (20.2% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 16 | 1.6% |
| February | 12 | 1.2% |
| March | 62 | 6.2% |
| April | 112 | 11.2% |
| Maypeak | 145 | 14.6% |
| Junepeak | 201 | 20.2% |
| July | 108 | 10.8% |
| Augustpeak | 115 | 11.5% |
| September | 93 | 9.3% |
| October | 65 | 6.5% |
| November | 40 | 4% |
| December | 27 | 2.7% |
Bears you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| American Black Bear | 996 |
In Connecticut, May carries 14.6% of the year's bears sightings, about 6.3 points above an even month-to-month split. That makes it the 2nd busiest of the twelve months, out of 12 months with recorded activity.
Activity is rising from April (11.2%) into May, and it heads toward June (20.2%) after. This is right inside the peak window, so May is one of the surest months to plan a trip around.
The bears most often recorded in Connecticut are American Black Bear. Those counts are annual totals rather than a May split, so treat them as which species you are likely to encounter, while the month figures above show how many sightings fall in May itself.
Which bears you are most likely to see
- American Black Bear996 records
Plan your bear trip in Connecticut
Start with live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail, then compare a nearby stay and a broader wildlife backup before you lock in the trip.
GetYourGuide
Live tours nearbySee live tours near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Use the live GetYourGuide widget to compare local departures and activity styles close to the main bear viewing area.
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Stay nearbyStay near Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Compare hotels, cabins and lodges close to the best bear viewing area in Connecticut.
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Broader backupBook a bear tour in Connecticut
Compare guided wildlife tours, boat trips and nature experiences if you want a second travel network beyond the live widget.
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
Can you see bears in Connecticut in May?+
Yes. May accounts for 145 of the 996 verified bears sightings logged in Connecticut across the year, which is 14.6% of the annual total.
Is May a good time to see bears in Connecticut?+
May is one of the best months. It ranks 2nd of the year and sits inside the peak window of June, May and August.
What month is best for bears in Connecticut?+
June is the single busiest month, with the broader peak running through June, May and August, based on 996 verified observations.
Which bears are you most likely to see in Connecticut?+
The most-recorded species in Connecticut are American Black Bear, based on all-time iNaturalist counts.
See bears in Connecticut in other months
More places to see bears